Q&A

When should I put my dog on Prozac?

When should I put my dog on Prozac?

Most commonly, Prozac is prescribed for dogs with separation anxiety — the sometimes debilitating or destructive anxiety a dog experiences when they are separated from their owner for periods of time. If your dog suffers from this condition, it’s important to seek help.

Will Prozac hurt a dog?

It is also used in veterinary practice to treat a wide range of behavioral issues. However, fluoxetine can be toxic to your pet if ingested in significant quantities. It is important to realize that, even at therapeutic doses, your pet may show signs of fatigue, excitation, nervousness, or loss of appetite.

Can Prozac make dogs more aggressive?

None of the dogs showed an increase in aggression, and neither should they. Increased aggression is not a feature of fluoxetine’s use (or any other SSRI, for that matter). I have been looking for a confirmed case of fluoxetine-induced aggression for 25 years now and I am still looking.

Does Prozac make dogs happy?

Fluoxetine slows down your dog’s metabolism of serotonin, which means that this “feel-good chemical” lingers in your dog’s brain. Over time, this effect increases feelings of happiness and decreases anxiety and depression.

How will my dog act on Prozac?

What are the side effects of Prozac for dogs? Any side effects are usually gastrointestinal—vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of appetite—which Dr. Pike says last only a day or two in dogs with a positive response to psychopharmaceuticals.

Does Prozac really help dogs?

Fluoxetine (brand names: Prozac®, Reconcile®, Sarafem®) is an SSRI antidepressant used to treat a variety of behavioral disorders in dogs and cats. The FDA approved form for dogs is labeled to treat separation anxiety.

Can I just stop giving my dog fluoxetine?

Fluoxetine should not be discontinued abruptly. If you wish to discontinue this medication, ask your veterinarian for a tapering schedule. Fluoxetine should be stored at room temperature away from light.

Will Prozac calm a dog down?

For dogs with more intense anxiety, she recommends Prozac (fluoxetine). Lexapro or Zoloft are other name brand psychotropic medications that are commonly used. There is also an FDA-approved version of Fluoxetine specifically made for dogs called Reconcile.

Does Prozac Help fear aggressive dogs?

Used properly, a daily medication like Prozac can help your anxious or reactive dog in three ways. First, you should notice that it takes a bit “more” to cause an anxious or aggressive response than before – essentially, the dog has a longer fuse. Second, if there is a reaction, it should be less intense.

Does dog anxiety medication work?

Medication isn’t a cure for separation anxiety — there is no “magic pill” that will take your dog’s stress away. Instead, prescription drugs are a tool that can help decrease a dog’s physical response to stress, which is what leads to behavioral issues, such as barking, destructiveness, and even self-harm.

How do you take a dog off Prozac?

To wean your dog off of Prozac, reduce the dose by half and give it for 7 days, then reduce that dose in half for another 7 days, then reduce again by half for another 7 days and then stop it.

Is Prozac bad for dogs?

Common side effects of Prozac include: vomiting, loss of appetite, (uncommonly) aggressive behavior, seizures, itching, and/or diarrhea in dogs. It may also cause damage to the liver and insomnia in your pet.

What is the dosage for Prozac for dogs?

Dosing Information of ​Fluoxetine for Dogs and Cats. Medication should never be administered without first consulting your veterinarian. For dogs, the dose of fluoxetine is 0.5 to 1 mg per pound (1 to 2 mg/kg) given every 24 hours, orally. For cats, the dose is 2 to 5 mg per cat once daily.

Can dogs take Prozac?

Can dogs safely take it. Prozac itself is not approved by the FDA for use in animals but may be prescribed by vets off-label for managing the above-mentioned issues in dogs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hftFbRmyxfU